Web design trends will vary from year to year, so one thing to keep in mind before we get started – don’t feel the need to jump at trends just for the sake of keeping up. Always think of your target audience first (create and follow a professional web design strategy), and what will add value and enhance their overall user experience. If your audience is from an industry or niche that is slower to react to change then consider their expectations first. Examples of these types of audiences could include healthcare professionals, automotive, C-level executives, or real estate. That being said, even the most traditional of audience segments will eventually warm to newer trends, it just might take them a while.
In recent years, and even more so in 2020, the focus in web design trends has shifted ever more to seamless usability and registering the right emotional impact. Top web design Seattle agencies are building websites that are designed to both make a statement, and push the user to an end goal or conversion. Below are ten web design trends to help websites differentiate from the competition, and stand out, by enhancing overall brand identity and website flow.
Interested in how these 2020 web design trends compare to this year?
Check out our top 10 web design trends in 2021 article.
Top 10 in 2020 Web Design Trends
1. Bright and Vibrant Color Schemes
In the past it’s been muted color tones, but for 2020 bright and vibrant is in. With this trend, the potential for creativity (and capturing the eye) is bolstered by unlocking traditionally ignored ranges of the color palette.
Displays are more vivid than ever, particularly on mobile devices, and flashier colors capitalize on this. The industries utilizing this trend most is product-based B2C technology, artificial intelligence, and SaaS companies. Color schemes such as magento, bright blues and greens are among the favorites.
When to use it?
2. Collage Images
Collage images, which can also be combined with design treatments, leave a memorable impression on visitors. This presentation format gives the images a unique, fresh feel. Combine images with graphics that match your brand design language and personality. Incorporate design treatments and shapes from your logo mark, background image patterns, icons, etc.
Why use it?
3. Line Art
Line art icons have been trending upwards since 2019, and you can look for that trend to continue into 2020. Line art gives a fresh, unique, and custom feel when compared to filled in icons, which can feel more “stocky”. Most websites in the past have utilized Font Awesome libraries (web’s most popular icon set and toolkit) in the past, which can lead to a lot of repetition across the web.
Why use it?
4. Floating Elements
For the past 5-8 years, websites have utilized rectangular blocks to define sections on a page. This sort of design feels more “templated”, limiting, and lacking uniqueness. In comparison, floating elements, well… float on the page. This is accomplished by the use of white backgrounds with off the grid elements, and no boxed in content.
Why use it?
5. Button Gradients
Gradient call to action buttons are very much a trend for 2020. This top trend gives a touch of texture to the page and helps your buttons to pop out of the background. Gradients 2.0 are either muted tones OR vibrant loud and in your grill. Usually, they utilize one or two colors. Do some A/B testing on a few different gradient buttons to see which style converts best.
Why use it?
6. Hero Video Banner
Remember when all sites used a homepage image slider? We’ll that’s a thing of the past. While attractive at first, they are an all around bad user experience – no one waits to thumb through all those slides, and display/interaction issues can crop up on varying devices. Video banners are quickly replacing image sliders in the hero element as high-speed internet advances allow for improved (and more consistent) video streaming experiences.
This trend is here to stay. Get a leg up on the competition as most competitors likely aren’t utilizing this yet.
Video gives you the chance to build a brand narrative quickly, and tell a story through interactive and engaging visuals. Common themes for hero videos are clips or graphics highlighting work environment, team members, and (of course) products and services. These videos typically are 15-40 seconds long and looped. They can also be combined with an “explainer video” via a “watch more” button overlaying the muted background video. When clicked this opens up a pop up video player in the middle of the screen with audio. These more in-depth videos are typically 60-90 seconds in length, and their viewing represents a higher level of visitor interest).
Why use it?
7. Oversized Fonts
Go big or go home? Yes! Larger LARGER LARGER is the trend. You’ll see more sites make use of large font sizes as they add visual impact, evoke a feeling and emphasize the message. They can also direct eyeballs to where they should look next. Keep in mind large fonts mean shorter headings, simpler imagery and color choices. Don’t overwhelm the user!